Could it be my Serotonin levels causing me to feel blah?

As we start to get older, our hormones can change, and hormonal changes can have a significant impact on our mood and overall well-being. Yes, there might be a reason we are cranky or simply just “off”. There is one very important neurotransmitter (hormone) that plays a role in regulating our positive mood and happy feelings and it is serotonin. Serotonin is often referred to as the "feel-good" transmitter. Its main purpose is to regulate our mood, appetite, and our sleep. So of course, we should be interested. I remember studying neurotransmitters in many of the psychology courses and the different and very important roles they play in our bodies. Since I have been coaching women as we age, I am looking for any clues that could hold us back from living our best life. And yes, this could be one of them. The good news is that there are things that we can do naturally to improve our levels if we feel it could be a problem. If you feel you have major hormonal problem, of course you should see your doctor. They might suggest Hormone replacement therapy. I am always looking for the NATURAL ways to help us. Of course I believe in medicine but do think it can be overdone.

Here are some key points about serotonin:

• Studies suggest that women produce 52 percent less serotonin than men.

• This difference in serotonin levels may explain why women are more prone to depression and mood disorders.

• Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can also affect serotonin levels and contribute to mood symptoms.

Natural Ways to Boost Serotonin:

• Exposure to sunlight: Sunlight exposure helps to increase serotonin levels. Spending time outdoors, especially in the morning, can be beneficial. So, get outside and enjoy the fresh air and get a hit of serotonin!

• Regular exercise: Physical activity, such as yoga, Pilates, or simply just walking, can boost serotonin levels and improve our mood. Another reason we should be moving.

• Healthy diet: Consuming foods rich in tryptophan, which is an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, which can help us increase serotonin levels. Foods like turkey, eggs, nuts, and seeds are good sources of tryptophan. So, eat your protein and get rid of as much of processed as you can. You know I will say do the 85% rule. Eat good 85% of the time. Add in you FUN foods occasionally.

• Mindfulness practices: (did not like reading this) Activities like yoga or meditation can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can indirectly boost serotonin levels. I do a five-minute yoga exercise app each morning. It would benefit me to meditate. I have never had a routine of meditation. I am going to work on! I need help keeping my mind clear...

• Adequate sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining serotonin balance. Poor sleep can negatively impact serotonin levels and mood.

Serotonin is not only involved in all that is mentioned but also plays a role in other important bodily functions, including cardiovascular health, muscle function, and milk production in the breast. Not that we need any breast milk production at our age LOL, but my ears perked up with cardiovascular health.

We all hear way more about dopamine. While both serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters that regulate bodily functions and play a role in emotions, they do have different effects and functions in the body. Serotonin is more closely associated with our mood regulation, while dopamine is more closely associated with reward and motivation.

I think I had mentioned that I read the book Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia and was shocked that heart disease is the top health problem for aging adults, cancer being number two, degenerative disease is third, and fourth is metabolic dysfunction which includes type 2 diabetes which is on the rise. So, anything I can share to give us a little nudge to be healthier....you know I am going to do. Yep, it is okay to have my "Fun Food" no more than 15% of the time. I think a good ole burger on the weekend is better than the bowl of ice cream but to each is own!!!!

Have a beautiful day!